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American Tourist Raped, tortured in Papua New Guinea

A tourist from the United States was raped repeatedly and had three of her fingers chopped off along the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea on Monday, Police told the National Newspaper.

She and her London-based male companion were tortured and robbed of items such as mobile phones, shoes, backpacks and clothing and cash worth K15,000 before being released.
Police described the incident as “pack-rape”.
Papua New Guinea;s NCD-Central Assistant Police Commissioner Sylvester Kalaut is appealing to villagers for information to help arrest the culprits.
One of the suspects, a villager from Efogi in Koiari, Central, was last night held by villagers.
Police believe that at least two local offenders, armed with bush knives and spears, were involved.
“Two expatriate tourists, a male and a female, both 31, were tracking the Kokoda Track and heading towards Templeton Two (a campsite) when they were ambushed by armed men,” Kalaut said.
He said the suspects held up the tourists, tied them up before dragging them off the track into the bush.
“The male tracker was tied to a tree and the female tracker was repeatedly raped before three of her fingers were chopped,” Kalaut said.
“The incident took place for an hour before they (trackers) were set free.
“I am appealing to the villagers to assist the police, come forward and provide necessary information so that the perpetrators can be dealt with.
Kalaut said such acts would affect tourism in the country.
Police said the trackers ran to Alola village and were later airlifted by a helicopter to Port Moresby and are undergoing medical attention.
“Police investigation is continuing, a police team will leave Port Moresby (today) by helicopter and will travel to Efogi village to try to apprehend the suspects.”